The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-11-30
Randall Grass--TalI Fescue, Festuca
EIatior,

This is the species of grass grown
in the grounds around horticultural
hall and under the live oaks during
the winter of the great exposition.
Visitors will doubtless remember the
vigorous growth during its season, and
many planters were much impressed
with its probable value for winter
grazing. w. F. Massey, in the Amert-
can Farmer, in an article on grass,
writes as follows:
In some parts Of the State it is known as Ever
green grass, from its affording good winter pas
turage. In Virginia it is the first grass to give
q bite to cattle in spring, and makes, on moist
land, magnificent second growth. The general
opinion is that it does best sown on oats in
spring. have piece of fertile bottom land,
part of which Is inclined to be wet. This have
sown in oats, and am seeding mixture Of tim
othy, red-top and Randall grass on it, using the
last two sorts largely because of the heavy af-
termath they usually make.
The Florida Farmer and Fruit Gro,cer says
that the Randall grass is Festuca elatior, and is
known by the names of Tall grass, Meadow
Rescue, Randall grass and Evergreen grass.
From all the information l can gather am
satisfied that it will be a valuable grass for our
bottom lands. Seedsmen catalogue this grass
as FeStuca prdtensS, which is a mistake. as the
true prdtensis is a much dwarfer form. DR..
Vasey, in his work on American grasses, SAYS
that IL is one Of the standard meadow grasses
OF Europe, and is an introduced species here
Prof. Phares, of the Mississippi Ag-
ricultural College, an authority on
grasses, says:
1t grows well in nearly all situations, wet or
dry, on hill or bottom land, even though sub
ject to overflow, and natures an extraordinary
quantity OF seed. The seed germinates readily.
and it ia easy to set piece Of land with this
grass. Seeded alone, twenty-eight pounds, or
about two bushels of seed, should be sown
broadcast in August, September, October, or
from the middle Of February to the LIST OF April.
From remaining green through the winter 1t is
sometimes called Evergreen grass. Moved
and dried it makes good hay, much relshed by
stock.
The Times Democrat recommends
Randall grass for winter grazing, also
for lawns. BY scarifying the surface
Of Bermuda sod, fertilizing with fine
ground bones or floats, winter lawn
may po OotuuiinhCu Ill t ulcIc uOlllllll
cost After going to seed in the
spring, 1t may be moved. The Ber-
muda then takes its place, producing
sod which, when properly managed,
can not be surpassed. N O. Times
Democrat.
Under the name English blue grass
this grass has been widely introduced
throughout several of the northern
States, Ohio, Indiana and Iowa, es-
pecially. Finding the demand for the
seed increasing, certain seedsmen
have imported seeds of inferior
grasses and sold them rs English
Bluegrass" Perennial rye grass
uolium perenne), a grass largely
grown in England, and which yields
large amount of seed, has been
largely used for this purpose, as its
seeds so closely resemble those of the
Tall Fescue that only an expert can
distinguish them. This perennial rye
grass has even been sold for Orchard
grass in Ohio. 1t is valuable grass
in the moist climate of England, bu,
is comparatively worthless here.
Farm and Fireside.